Gallup Poll Shows More American's Approve of Gay and Lesbian Relations Than Ever

This one almost sneaked by.  Gallup did a survey of American's Acceptance of Gay and Lesbian Relations and for the first time the folks who come down on the LGBT side are over 50%.  The group who consider our relationships "morally wrong" dropped to 43%.  That is the lowest percentage since the survey was started 10 years ago.

What is really interesting to me is the breakdown of this survey.  Women's approval passed 50%  last year and their approval rating increased only 2 percentage points since 2006.  Men however, made real strides.  Since 2006 their approval rating jumped 14 percentage points.  That may just mean the Metrosexuals are more than a rumor!  The change however is mostly among men under 50 years old. 

No surprise that acceptance among Democrats and Independents was the most visible but one eye raiser was the number of Catholics who apparently have changed their minds.  It's a 16 percentage point jump, more than 3 times that of Protestants.

I guess we are making progress?  My suspicion is that the visibility of LGBT people in the media and politics is helping to make straight folks more comfortable with us and that can only be a good thing!  God bless Will and Grace.

Anyone Have Anything On This Homophobe?

It's time we started actively looking for dirt on these holier-than-thou right wing asshats. Take this guy as a case in point.  Brent Bozell, a spokesperson for the "Media Research Center" a right-wing propaganda group, is outraged that the TV show Glee portrays its homophobic bullies in a bad light.  And just how would he make these characters lovable?

Like so many outspoken opponents of LGBT rights, I wonder when we are going to find out that there might be a few skeletons in a well locked closet somewhere?  It seems that every week a new homophobe is caught with his pants down in a restroom, or hiring "rent boys" for European vacations.  I just wonder if Mr. Bozell might have a few secrets of his own.  Just sayin.

Here is his bio if it rings any bells with anyone, after all he is a University of Dallas graduate.  If so, let me know.  I feel sure my readers would find it fascinating.

The Spill - How Bad Could It Get? BAD!

Well the latest computer model of the oil spill from National Center for Atmospheric Research is not very cheerful.  The models show the possibility of the growing oil slick meandering around Florida and all the way up the east coast.  Nice.

Meanwhile BP keeps trying one jake leg fix after another and so far none have stopped the flow.  If this takes until August, we are in for a world of hurt and all the money BP has wont fix it.  I am praying they succeed in stopping the gusher. Really!

Check out the story on CNN Money.

Picture of the Day

Actually published in a Miami Living magazine.  Ooops!

The tell tail shadow really works with the headline?

Gay Republicans Back Anti-Gay Candidate in California

For the life of me I cannot understand the Log Cabin Republicans.  That group continues to amaze me with its ability to act against its own self interests.  Yet, they are pikers compared to the other allegedly gay Republican group, GOProud.  This bunch of supposedly LGBT people have really done themselves "proud" by endorsing the most homophobic candidate in a California primary.

GOProud is backing Carly Fiorina, who openly opposed same-sex marriage over moderate Republican Tom Campbell who approves same-sex marriage.  Why?  Well my guess is since GOProud is a puppet group run by the party elite, it's a no brainer.  Fiorina is who the GOP wants to go against Barbara Boxer in November.


This puts this allegedly LGBT group in alliance with the National Organization for Marriage who successfully passed Proposition 8 in California last year.  Say what?  


OK you gay Republicans, explain this one to me!

SC State Senator Calls Obama "Rag Head"

Well you can take the boy out of the country but you can't take the bigotry out of the boy I guess.  South Carolina state Senator, Jake Knotts decided he needed a little extra ammunition against the woman who is the front-runner for the GOP nomination for governor.  Nikki Haley was raised in a Sikh family but has since converted to Christianity, but in Knotts book that still means she is one of "them". 

In a delightfully colorful country slang Senator Knotts stated, "We already got one raghead in the White House, we don’t need a raghead in the governor’s mansion."  Classy guy!  And he is talking about a fellow Republican!

To me this just goes to show that the GOP really is the party of the "big tent".  A big tent full of bigots!

Want further proof? Knotts is supporting the other GOP candidate, Andre Bauer who made the equally delightful statement about government assistance:

“My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed. You’re facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don’t think too much further than that. And so what you’ve got to do is you’ve got to curtail that type of behavior. They don’t know any better."

I state again, the GOP is a tent full of bigots.

Crazy Car Jump Video at DFW Airport

Dallas Observer posted this video yesterday and it is amazing.  A drunk driver trying to leave DFW ariport floored it and did a great Evil Kenevil jump over the safety barricades.  Once the car crashed to a halt, she got out and promptly got on her cell phone.  Meanwhile her car exploded!  She was alive with minor injuries and now in jail.

Rand Paul Violates Copyright Law - Rush (The Band) Not Amused

The walking train wreck that is Rand Paul has slammed into another PR obstacle.  Paul's campaign has been using the music of the Canadian band Rush as background in a fund raising video.  The band is not amused.

Using music without a license in a political advertisement is a violation of copyright law.  Not the kind of thing a potential Governor should be doing.  Additionally, in an ironic twist the band is not even American! 

Paul continues to make missteps and though they might not be big, after his comments about Civil Rights, birthright and a few other choice peccadilloes the press is waiting with baited breath for him to stumble again.

He shoots and SCORES!  Keep it up Rand and you will end up as a bit on Saturday Night Live.  That did wonders for Ross Perott and Sarah Palin!

Guatemala Devastated By Torrential Rains

I guess I sometimes forget how bad just plain old rain can get.  In Guatemala City where tropical storm Agetha has caused flooding landslides and this amazing sinkhole that swallowed a 3 story building.  (Photo from Guatemalan government)

It is not Photoshop either!

Saudis Investigate Sinfulness of MTV Program

Saudi Arabia, the repressive kingdom we call our allie has started a new inquisition.  This time it is into an MTV program. On the show, a documentary crew followed a trio of young Saudis around in their adventures. 

Now these people are vocal in their desire to reform the fundamentalist theocratic laws of the country.  The girl of the group makes her own colorful abayas which she wears and sells to her friends.  She dresses like a boy so she can ride a bicycle, something not permitted for women.

Well, now their reality show has them in hot water and the authorities are investigating the show for its sinfulness.  Yes that is the expression they used, "sin".  Now this all comes after the rulers of the kingdom have stated openly they are considering reforms. 

Does anyone else see the parallels between this kind of repressed fundamentalism and our own Christian right?

And we call these folks allies?  OK, Saudi Arabia has long been our pusher.  They supply the highest grade oil to feed our addiction, but they are far from friendly.  Just like a drug dealer, once we stop buying, they will no longer care a fig about us. 

Mark Kirk - Gay Republican, Votes Against DADT Repeal!

Mike Rogers who has been behind some of the most important "outings" of recent memory has done it again. This time it is Representative Mark Kirk of Illinois.  This GOP lawmaker has been relatively benign in the past but when he had a chance to vote with 5 other republicans including Ron Paul to repeal DADT he voted against it.  This wouldn't be such a big deal if he wasn't a closeted gay man.

Rogers gives the details including his own testimony that Kirk came out to him back in 2004 at a party, prior to Rogers' blogging activity.  I understand a lot of folks have problems with "outing" but in the case of hypocrites who deny us our rights, my opinion is, "OUT THE BASTARDS"!

President Obama Signs LGBT Pride Month Proclamation

This is a big deal. Obama is the first president to give such a whole hearted recognition of LGBT people and their effect on the culture and character of our country.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release May 28, 2010

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2010

- – - – - – -

A PROCLAMATION

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

As Americans, it is our birthright that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since our earliest days of independence, our Nation has striven to fulfill that promise. An important chapter in our great, unfinished story is the movement for fairness and equality on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.

LGBT Americans have enriched and strengthened the fabric of our national life. From business leaders and professors to athletes and first responders, LGBT individuals have achieved success and prominence in every discipline. They are our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters, and our friends and neighbors. Across my Administration, openly LGBT employees are serving at every level. Thanks to those who came before us — the brave men and women who marched, stood up to injustice, and brought change through acts of compassion or defiance — we have made enormous progress and continue to strive for a more perfect union.

My Administration has advanced our journey by signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which strengthens Federal protections against crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We renewed the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides life-saving medical services and support to Americans living with HIV/AIDS, and finally eliminated the HIV entry ban. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to give LGBT patients the compassion and security they deserve in their time of need, including the ability to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions.

In other areas, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a series of proposals to ensure core housing programs are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. HUD also announced the first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has created a National Resource Center for LGBT Elders.

Much work remains to fulfill our Nation’s promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.

As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

IML Winners Video Clip

Here is a clip of the winners being announced at IML 2010.

Israeli Commandos Kill Passengers Aboard Gaza Relief Ship

Israel has seized a ship in international waters.  Commandos from Israel surrounded a relief ship bound for Gaza and have reportedly killed several people.   The ship contined all civilians according to reporters on board the ship before it was attacked. 

Meanwhile Benjamin Netanhayu has canceled a meeting with President Obama.  I expect Israel is embarrassed about the botched military action or maybe they have just decided to become a rogue nation?  Who knows?

Al Jazera has the report below.  Don't expect the US news organizations to cover this attack, they probably will not.